National Deaf
Football League

Rules & expectations

League Bylaws

The rules, expectations, and structure that keep every league fair, safe, and competitive.

Official Bylaws

The complete governing document of the National Deaf Football League — a nonprofit corporation tax-exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Fifteen articles covering membership, the Board of Commissioners, financial administration, discipline and appeals.

Originally adopted October 2025 · Restated August 10, 2026 · Amended August 31, 2026

Download the Bylaws (PDF, 16 pages)

Quick Reference

A plain-language summary. Where this summary and the Bylaws differ, the Bylaws above govern.

1. Purpose

  • Provide fair, safe, and competitive football
  • Promote teamwork, respect, and community

2. Eligibility

  • Must be 18+ and a high school graduate
  • Must provide a signed waiver and signed Code of Conduct
  • CODA/SODA/Hearing allowed: maximum 2 per team
  • Must play at least 2 games to qualify for playoffs

3. Team Requirements

  • Maximum roster: 21 players
  • Must submit all required documents on time
  • No player may join multiple teams in the same league

4. Roster Deadline & Lock

  • All teams must submit their official roster by February 1st
  • Once submitted, the roster is locked — no additional players may be added
  • Exception: teams may add up to 3 Free Agents ($25 each), before the playoffs only, all approved by the Commissioners
  • No roster by February 1st → the team will not be allowed to play. No exceptions after the deadline.

5. Fees & Payments

  • Full payment due November 1st
  • Men’s Tackle: $400 · Women’s Flag: $350 · Men’s Flag: TBA (split equally by number of players on the team)
  • Late fee: $100 after November 15th
  • Payments go to official league accounts only (provided by Commissioners) — Zelle, CashApp, Apple Pay, Venmo, or online. Never to personal or unapproved accounts.
  • All payments are non-refundable.

6. Field Requirements

  • All games must have a reserved field, secured 2 months before the season starts
  • Owners & Coaches reserve fields; Commissioners verify and approve. No field = no game.

7. Game Time Changes

  • Requests allowed up to 30 days before game day only, agreed with the opposing team, and submitted to the Commissioners with a reason
  • Final approval is up to the Commissioners; requests after 30 days will not be accepted

8. Game Operations

  • Commissioners secure referees — minimum of 3 referees per game

9. Conduct

Everyone must show respect at all times — Commissioners, players, owners, coaches, referees, and fans. Fighting, threats, harassment, bad behavior on social media, alcohol, or illegal drugs are not allowed.

  • 1st offense → suspended (game + next game)
  • 2nd offense → 3-game suspension
  • 3rd offense → 1-year suspension
  • Severe → immediate ban

10. Communication Policy

All communication with Commissioners must go through Owners and Coaches only. Players are not allowed to contact Commissioners directly — contact your Owner or Coach first.

11. Game Basics

  • 7 vs 7 format · minimum 5 players to start · mercy rule at 28 points · matching uniforms required
  • Emergency Player Substitution (ALT Rule): Commissioners may approve up to 5 substitutes per team, for genuine emergencies only (medical, family, legal, travel, disaster), with proof and Commissioner approval.

12. Forfeits

  • Missing a game = automatic forfeit. Only Commissioners can excuse (weather only), with a written explanation.

13. Final Rule

Commissioners have final authority on all decisions, and all decisions must be respected.

Regular Season & All-Star Tournament Bylaws

Conference Alignment

The league is divided into two conferences; each team is assigned based on its state.

West Conference: California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota.

East Conference: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Washington DC, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Louisiana.

Regular Season Play

  • West teams play only West teams; East teams play only East teams
  • No cross-conference games unless approved by Commissioners
  • No switching conferences once the season begins; all placement decisions are final

Summer All-Star Flag Football League

  • Held in July; both West & East are eligible
  • All-Stars selected from each team by coaches; tournament-style format only
  • Structure (bracket, teams, format) and location/schedule decided by the Commissioners
  • Each selected All-Star pays a $50 participation fee before the event to secure their roster spot

Authority

Commissioners have full authority over selections, tournament format, schedule, and location. All decisions are final and binding.

Questions about eligibility or fees? Contact the league →